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Dreamer

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Witness

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stonehearted
....................................
"Best foot forward" as they say. If Exile is supposed to be the all-time classic Stones album, then this is the recording they would want for the beginning listener to hear first, isn't it? But instead, aside from Tumbling Dice and Happy, Exile has been largely overlooked in terms of both vehicles that tend to reach the beginning listener first--compilation albums and concert set lists.

.................................

To that point of view, I would like to make a mild objection. I think that EXILE ON MAIN STREET may be a quite demanding album, sometimes even for a trained Stones listener. One will not spontaneously be charmed. You therefore need some background in Rolling Stones music, I guess, to be able to take it in. That is then not where you start, but rather where you probably arrive late in a tentative presentation over time to a listener that has not grown into the Rolling Stones musical universe. First then, he or she might learn to appreciate it.

Or might not...
It's important to remember that Exile was not a very well received album at the time. Not by fans and not by critics. And I think even the Stones liked to move on after that one. Mysteriously some years later it was rated higher by some critic and other critics joined and all of a sudden it was really fashionable to say it was their best album. The whole story about the recording locations played a significant role. It created a legend that wasn't felt when it was released. If that didn't happen I doubt that lots of people here would say it's such a good album. Lots of people still say that it's so good just because they think it's cool to say. Like you're an expert when you say it's their best thing... That's bs to me. When people were 14 while BB was released I believe them when they say that's their best and most important record. But when lots of people who were 14 when VL or BtB or SW was released keep saying Exile is their best I just think they are repeating what their prescription says.

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DandelionPowderman

Quote
Dreamer

Quote
Witness

Quote
stonehearted
....................................
"Best foot forward" as they say. If Exile is supposed to be the all-time classic Stones album, then this is the recording they would want for the beginning listener to hear first, isn't it? But instead, aside from Tumbling Dice and Happy, Exile has been largely overlooked in terms of both vehicles that tend to reach the beginning listener first--compilation albums and concert set lists.

.................................

To that point of view, I would like to make a mild objection. I think that EXILE ON MAIN STREET may be a quite demanding album, sometimes even for a trained Stones listener. One will not spontaneously be charmed. You therefore need some background in Rolling Stones music, I guess, to be able to take it in. That is then not where you start, but rather where you probably arrive late in a tentative presentation over time to a listener that has not grown into the Rolling Stones musical universe. First then, he or she might learn to appreciate it.

Or might not...
It's important to remember that Exile was not a very well received album at the time. Not by fans and not by critics. And I think even the Stones liked to move on after that one. Mysteriously some years later it was rated higher by some critic and other critics joined and all of a sudden it was really fashionable to say it was their best album. The whole story about the recording locations played a significant role. It created a legend that wasn't felt when it was released. If that didn't happen I doubt that lots of people here would say it's such a good album. Lots of people still say that it's so good just because they think it's cool to say. Like you're an expert when you say it's their best thing... That's bs to me. When people were 14 while BB was released I believe them when they say that's their best and most important record. But when lots of people who were 14 when VL or BtB or SW was released keep saying Exile is their best I just think they are repeating what their prescription says.

It's also an album that grows on you - slowly. No immediate hits, but a collection of songs, sequenced in a way that doesn't get to you right away.

I'd say that the collection of songs, and how it was put together, is the reason for it not becoming an immediate hit among the reviewers and the fans.

Some of the songs aren't that great, standing on their own (Casino Boogie, Hip Shake, Just Wanna See, Torn And Frayed), but within the wholeness they are important ingredients to the album.

Had they put a single album together with, for instance:

Rocks Off
Rip This Joint
Tumbling Dice
Happy
Sweet Virginia
All Down The Line
Let It Loose
Ventilator Blues
Shine A Light
Loving Cup

...then I think the reviews would have been different back then as well.

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Silver Dagger

Quote
DandelionPowderman

Quote
Dreamer

Quote
Witness

Quote
stonehearted
....................................
"Best foot forward" as they say. If Exile is supposed to be the all-time classic Stones album, then this is the recording they would want for the beginning listener to hear first, isn't it? But instead, aside from Tumbling Dice and Happy, Exile has been largely overlooked in terms of both vehicles that tend to reach the beginning listener first--compilation albums and concert set lists.

.................................

To that point of view, I would like to make a mild objection. I think that EXILE ON MAIN STREET may be a quite demanding album, sometimes even for a trained Stones listener. One will not spontaneously be charmed. You therefore need some background in Rolling Stones music, I guess, to be able to take it in. That is then not where you start, but rather where you probably arrive late in a tentative presentation over time to a listener that has not grown into the Rolling Stones musical universe. First then, he or she might learn to appreciate it.

Or might not...
It's important to remember that Exile was not a very well received album at the time. Not by fans and not by critics. And I think even the Stones liked to move on after that one. Mysteriously some years later it was rated higher by some critic and other critics joined and all of a sudden it was really fashionable to say it was their best album. The whole story about the recording locations played a significant role. It created a legend that wasn't felt when it was released. If that didn't happen I doubt that lots of people here would say it's such a good album. Lots of people still say that it's so good just because they think it's cool to say. Like you're an expert when you say it's their best thing... That's bs to me. When people were 14 while BB was released I believe them when they say that's their best and most important record. But when lots of people who were 14 when VL or BtB or SW was released keep saying Exile is their best I just think they are repeating what their prescription says.

It's also an album that grows on you - slowly. No immediate hits, but a collection of songs, sequenced in a way that doesn't get to you right away.

I'd say that the collection of songs, and how it was put together, is the reason for it not becoming an immediate hit among the reviewers and the fans.

Some of the songs aren't that great, standing on their own (Casino Boogie, Hip Shake, Just Wanna See, Torn And Frayed), but within the wholeness they are important ingredients to the album.

Had they put a single album together with, for instance:

Rocks Off
Rip This Joint
Tumbling Dice
Happy
Sweet Virginia
All Down The Line
Let It Loose
Ventilator Blues
Shine A Light
Loving Cup

...then I think the reviews would have been different back then as well.

But thank God they didn't, eh Dandy? Exile was a lot of information to take in in one go and many people are lazy when it comes to appreciating new music. They want the diamond ready cut and polished but that wasn't the case with Exile. And you're right - it was the way the album was laid out. I've always seen it as 4 distinct sides A - Straight ahead rock; B - Country Rock; C - with the exception of Happy, Voodoo Jive; D - Life On The Road. God bless the Stones for making it.

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DandelionPowderman

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Dreamer

Quote
Witness

Quote
stonehearted
....................................
"Best foot forward" as they say. If Exile is supposed to be the all-time classic Stones album, then this is the recording they would want for the beginning listener to hear first, isn't it? But instead, aside from Tumbling Dice and Happy, Exile has been largely overlooked in terms of both vehicles that tend to reach the beginning listener first--compilation albums and concert set lists.

.................................

To that point of view, I would like to make a mild objection. I think that EXILE ON MAIN STREET may be a quite demanding album, sometimes even for a trained Stones listener. One will not spontaneously be charmed. You therefore need some background in Rolling Stones music, I guess, to be able to take it in. That is then not where you start, but rather where you probably arrive late in a tentative presentation over time to a listener that has not grown into the Rolling Stones musical universe. First then, he or she might learn to appreciate it.

Or might not...
It's important to remember that Exile was not a very well received album at the time. Not by fans and not by critics. And I think even the Stones liked to move on after that one. Mysteriously some years later it was rated higher by some critic and other critics joined and all of a sudden it was really fashionable to say it was their best album. The whole story about the recording locations played a significant role. It created a legend that wasn't felt when it was released. If that didn't happen I doubt that lots of people here would say it's such a good album. Lots of people still say that it's so good just because they think it's cool to say. Like you're an expert when you say it's their best thing... That's bs to me. When people were 14 while BB was released I believe them when they say that's their best and most important record. But when lots of people who were 14 when VL or BtB or SW was released keep saying Exile is their best I just think they are repeating what their prescription says.

It's also an album that grows on you - slowly. No immediate hits, but a collection of songs, sequenced in a way that doesn't get to you right away.

I'd say that the collection of songs, and how it was put together, is the reason for it not becoming an immediate hit among the reviewers and the fans.

Some of the songs aren't that great, standing on their own (Casino Boogie, Hip Shake, Just Wanna See, Torn And Frayed), but within the wholeness they are important ingredients to the album.

Had they put a single album together with, for instance:

Rocks Off
Rip This Joint
Tumbling Dice
Happy
Sweet Virginia
All Down The Line
Let It Loose
Ventilator Blues
Shine A Light
Loving Cup

...then I think the reviews would have been different back then as well.

Quote
nightskyman

Quote
DandelionPowderman

Quote
Dreamer

Quote
Witness

Quote
stonehearted
....................................
"Best foot forward" as they say. If Exile is supposed to be the all-time classic Stones album, then this is the recording they would want for the beginning listener to hear first, isn't it? But instead, aside from Tumbling Dice and Happy, Exile has been largely overlooked in terms of both vehicles that tend to reach the beginning listener first--compilation albums and concert set lists.

.................................

To that point of view, I would like to make a mild objection. I think that EXILE ON MAIN STREET may be a quite demanding album, sometimes even for a trained Stones listener. One will not spontaneously be charmed. You therefore need some background in Rolling Stones music, I guess, to be able to take it in. That is then not where you start, but rather where you probably arrive late in a tentative presentation over time to a listener that has not grown into the Rolling Stones musical universe. First then, he or she might learn to appreciate it.

Or might not...
It's important to remember that Exile was not a very well received album at the time. Not by fans and not by critics. And I think even the Stones liked to move on after that one. Mysteriously some years later it was rated higher by some critic and other critics joined and all of a sudden it was really fashionable to say it was their best album. The whole story about the recording locations played a significant role. It created a legend that wasn't felt when it was released. If that didn't happen I doubt that lots of people here would say it's such a good album. Lots of people still say that it's so good just because they think it's cool to say. Like you're an expert when you say it's their best thing... That's bs to me. When people were 14 while BB was released I believe them when they say that's their best and most important record. But when lots of people who were 14 when VL or BtB or SW was released keep saying Exile is their best I just think they are repeating what their prescription says.

It's also an album that grows on you - slowly. No immediate hits, but a collection of songs, sequenced in a way that doesn't get to you right away.

I'd say that the collection of songs, and how it was put together, is the reason for it not becoming an immediate hit among the reviewers and the fans.

Some of the songs aren't that great, standing on their own (Casino Boogie, Hip Shake, Just Wanna See, Torn And Frayed), but within the wholeness they are important ingredients to the album.

Had they put a single album together with, for instance:

Rocks Off
Rip This Joint
Tumbling Dice
Happy
Sweet Virginia
All Down The Line
Let It Loose
Ventilator Blues
Shine A Light
Loving Cup

...then I think the reviews would have been different back then as well.

You must include 'Torn and Frayed' and 'Sweet Black Angel.' (rounds out to 12 tracks nicely)

Quote
DandelionPowderman

Quote
nightskyman

Quote
DandelionPowderman

Quote
Dreamer

Quote
Witness

Quote
stonehearted
....................................
"Best foot forward" as they say. If Exile is supposed to be the all-time classic Stones album, then this is the recording they would want for the beginning listener to hear first, isn't it? But instead, aside from Tumbling Dice and Happy, Exile has been largely overlooked in terms of both vehicles that tend to reach the beginning listener first--compilation albums and concert set lists.

.................................

To that point of view, I would like to make a mild objection. I think that EXILE ON MAIN STREET may be a quite demanding album, sometimes even for a trained Stones listener. One will not spontaneously be charmed. You therefore need some background in Rolling Stones music, I guess, to be able to take it in. That is then not where you start, but rather where you probably arrive late in a tentative presentation over time to a listener that has not grown into the Rolling Stones musical universe. First then, he or she might learn to appreciate it.

Or might not...
It's important to remember that Exile was not a very well received album at the time. Not by fans and not by critics. And I think even the Stones liked to move on after that one. Mysteriously some years later it was rated higher by some critic and other critics joined and all of a sudden it was really fashionable to say it was their best album. The whole story about the recording locations played a significant role. It created a legend that wasn't felt when it was released. If that didn't happen I doubt that lots of people here would say it's such a good album. Lots of people still say that it's so good just because they think it's cool to say. Like you're an expert when you say it's their best thing... That's bs to me. When people were 14 while BB was released I believe them when they say that's their best and most important record. But when lots of people who were 14 when VL or BtB or SW was released keep saying Exile is their best I just think they are repeating what their prescription says.

It's also an album that grows on you - slowly. No immediate hits, but a collection of songs, sequenced in a way that doesn't get to you right away.

I'd say that the collection of songs, and how it was put together, is the reason for it not becoming an immediate hit among the reviewers and the fans.

Some of the songs aren't that great, standing on their own (Casino Boogie, Hip Shake, Just Wanna See, Torn And Frayed), but within the wholeness they are important ingredients to the album.

Had they put a single album together with, for instance:

Rocks Off
Rip This Joint
Tumbling Dice
Happy
Sweet Virginia
All Down The Line
Let It Loose
Ventilator Blues
Shine A Light
Loving Cup

...then I think the reviews would have been different back then as well.

You must include 'Torn and Frayed' and 'Sweet Black Angel.' (rounds out to 12 tracks nicely)

It was ridiculous picking only ten songs... SBA is one of my favourites, but I tried to think like a non-Stones fan when I picked the most "easily accessible" songs

Quote
RollingFreak

Quote
DandelionPowderman

Quote
nightskyman

Quote
DandelionPowderman

Quote
Dreamer

Quote
Witness

Quote
stonehearted
....................................
"Best foot forward" as they say. If Exile is supposed to be the all-time classic Stones album, then this is the recording they would want for the beginning listener to hear first, isn't it? But instead, aside from Tumbling Dice and Happy, Exile has been largely overlooked in terms of both vehicles that tend to reach the beginning listener first--compilation albums and concert set lists.

.................................

To that point of view, I would like to make a mild objection. I think that EXILE ON MAIN STREET may be a quite demanding album, sometimes even for a trained Stones listener. One will not spontaneously be charmed. You therefore need some background in Rolling Stones music, I guess, to be able to take it in. That is then not where you start, but rather where you probably arrive late in a tentative presentation over time to a listener that has not grown into the Rolling Stones musical universe. First then, he or she might learn to appreciate it.

Or might not...
It's important to remember that Exile was not a very well received album at the time. Not by fans and not by critics. And I think even the Stones liked to move on after that one. Mysteriously some years later it was rated higher by some critic and other critics joined and all of a sudden it was really fashionable to say it was their best album. The whole story about the recording locations played a significant role. It created a legend that wasn't felt when it was released. If that didn't happen I doubt that lots of people here would say it's such a good album. Lots of people still say that it's so good just because they think it's cool to say. Like you're an expert when you say it's their best thing... That's bs to me. When people were 14 while BB was released I believe them when they say that's their best and most important record. But when lots of people who were 14 when VL or BtB or SW was released keep saying Exile is their best I just think they are repeating what their prescription says.

It's also an album that grows on you - slowly. No immediate hits, but a collection of songs, sequenced in a way that doesn't get to you right away.

I'd say that the collection of songs, and how it was put together, is the reason for it not becoming an immediate hit among the reviewers and the fans.

Some of the songs aren't that great, standing on their own (Casino Boogie, Hip Shake, Just Wanna See, Torn And Frayed), but within the wholeness they are important ingredients to the album.

Had they put a single album together with, for instance:

Rocks Off
Rip This Joint
Tumbling Dice
Happy
Sweet Virginia
All Down The Line
Let It Loose
Ventilator Blues
Shine A Light
Loving Cup

...then I think the reviews would have been different back then as well.

You must include 'Torn and Frayed' and 'Sweet Black Angel.' (rounds out to 12 tracks nicely)

It was ridiculous picking only ten songs... SBA is one of my favourites, but I tried to think like a non-Stones fan when I picked the most "easily accessible" songs

Yeah, my "easily accessible" includes Torn And Frayed and Soul Survivor to bring it up to 12. 24 minute album sides. To me, that cuts out all the "filler" from that album, whether you call it atmosphere or deep cuts. Those are the 12 I think most people can get on board with, and its when you get to those last 6 that arguments start to be made.

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treaclefingers
So, the 'disposable' songs off EOMS are, Turd on the Run, Casino Boogie, Just Wanna See His Face, Soul Survivor, Stop Breaking Down, Shake Your Hips?

Yeah, I'm sure you'll get consensus on that.

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stonehearted
An album with 6 disposable songs = overrated.

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RollingFreak

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treaclefingers
So, the 'disposable' songs off EOMS are, Turd on the Run, Casino Boogie, Just Wanna See His Face, Soul Survivor, Stop Breaking Down, Shake Your Hips?

Yeah, I'm sure you'll get consensus on that.

Can't tell whether you're being sarcastic or not (I don't think so, but its Exile so I know people have strong opinions) but yes thats basically what I think. I'd switch out Soul Survivor for Sweet Black Angel, which is another I could see people not really liking much. Love all the songs years later, but those were the ones that I initially thought were filler.

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RollingFreak
Exile. An incredible album, but its never my number 1 despite the fact that many others consider it theirs. Whether you like it or not, its got a few songs that are filler whereas their other 40 minute albums are concise masterpieces.

Sorry. Someone had to say it.

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LoveYouLive

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RollingFreak
Exile. An incredible album, but its never my number 1 despite the fact that many others consider it theirs. Whether you like it or not, its got a few songs that are filler whereas their other 40 minute albums are concise masterpieces.

Sorry. Someone had to say it.

Well said (written) and I completely agree.

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treaclefingers

Quote
RollingFreak

Quote
DandelionPowderman

Quote
nightskyman

Quote
DandelionPowderman

Quote
Dreamer

Quote
Witness

Quote
stonehearted
....................................
"Best foot forward" as they say. If Exile is supposed to be the all-time classic Stones album, then this is the recording they would want for the beginning listener to hear first, isn't it? But instead, aside from Tumbling Dice and Happy, Exile has been largely overlooked in terms of both vehicles that tend to reach the beginning listener first--compilation albums and concert set lists.

.................................

To that point of view, I would like to make a mild objection. I think that EXILE ON MAIN STREET may be a quite demanding album, sometimes even for a trained Stones listener. One will not spontaneously be charmed. You therefore need some background in Rolling Stones music, I guess, to be able to take it in. That is then not where you start, but rather where you probably arrive late in a tentative presentation over time to a listener that has not grown into the Rolling Stones musical universe. First then, he or she might learn to appreciate it.

Or might not...
It's important to remember that Exile was not a very well received album at the time. Not by fans and not by critics. And I think even the Stones liked to move on after that one. Mysteriously some years later it was rated higher by some critic and other critics joined and all of a sudden it was really fashionable to say it was their best album. The whole story about the recording locations played a significant role. It created a legend that wasn't felt when it was released. If that didn't happen I doubt that lots of people here would say it's such a good album. Lots of people still say that it's so good just because they think it's cool to say. Like you're an expert when you say it's their best thing... That's bs to me. When people were 14 while BB was released I believe them when they say that's their best and most important record. But when lots of people who were 14 when VL or BtB or SW was released keep saying Exile is their best I just think they are repeating what their prescription says.

It's also an album that grows on you - slowly. No immediate hits, but a collection of songs, sequenced in a way that doesn't get to you right away.

I'd say that the collection of songs, and how it was put together, is the reason for it not becoming an immediate hit among the reviewers and the fans.

Some of the songs aren't that great, standing on their own (Casino Boogie, Hip Shake, Just Wanna See, Torn And Frayed), but within the wholeness they are important ingredients to the album.

Had they put a single album together with, for instance:

Rocks Off
Rip This Joint
Tumbling Dice
Happy
Sweet Virginia
All Down The Line
Let It Loose
Ventilator Blues
Shine A Light
Loving Cup

...then I think the reviews would have been different back then as well.

You must include 'Torn and Frayed' and 'Sweet Black Angel.' (rounds out to 12 tracks nicely)

It was ridiculous picking only ten songs... SBA is one of my favourites, but I tried to think like a non-Stones fan when I picked the most "easily accessible" songs

Yeah, my "easily accessible" includes Torn And Frayed and Soul Survivor to bring it up to 12. 24 minute album sides. To me, that cuts out all the "filler" from that album, whether you call it atmosphere or deep cuts. Those are the 12 I think most people can get on board with, and its when you get to those last 6 that arguments start to be made.

So, the 'disposable' songs off EOMS are, Turd on the Run, Casino Boogie, Just Wanna See His Face, Soul Survivor, Stop Breaking Down, Shake Your Hips?

Yeah, I'm sure you'll get consensus on that.

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treaclefingers

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LoveYouLive

Quote
RollingFreak
Exile. An incredible album, but its never my number 1 despite the fact that many others consider it theirs. Whether you like it or not, its got a few songs that are filler whereas their other 40 minute albums are concise masterpieces.

Sorry. Someone had to say it.

Well said (written) and I completely agree.

Just to give this balance, I think you're both completely missing the point of EOMS. If you remove those songs, it just doesn't compete with the other Big 3...it's because of those songs that this is a top album, possibly the best double album of all time, certainly better than the Beatles White album.

EOMS is the exception to the rule, less is more.

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71Tele
Those who think Exile has "filler" just don't understand what Exile is all about. I pity them.

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Silver Dagger

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71Tele
Those who think Exile has "filler" just don't understand what Exile is all about. I pity them.

They don't understand the soul of the Stones.

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stonehearted


"It's overrated, to be honest."

--Mick Jagger

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sonomastone

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Silver Dagger

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71Tele
Those who think Exile has "filler" just don't understand what Exile is all about. I pity them.

They don't understand the soul of the Stones.

i agree. i can distinctly remember the first time i listened to exile, and yes it was all the way through, all 4 sides. each track that played blew me away, and i was never tempted to pick the needle up and pass a song over so that i could get to "happy" or "all down the line" faster (2 of the songs i had heard before).

for example i read the thread above and saw the comments about "sweet black angel" and remembered listening to it (before knowing what it was about) and thinking how it was absolutely perfect for the point in the album it came. it wouldn't be EOMS without sweet black angel, or any of the tracks.

i wonder however if as the concept of an "album" slowly decays due to the advent of generations who grew up on digital music where you acquire songs track by track, make playlists rather than listen to albums, etc. if "exile" loses some of its reputation.
i hope not.

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sonomastone

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Silver Dagger

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71Tele

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stonehearted

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sonomastone

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Silver Dagger

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71Tele

I think that a few here are forgetting that this is a forum and that what gets posted here in terms of musical taste has to do with opinion, and when someone posts that they'd rather listen to the It's Only Rock 'n Roll album over Exile they are not to be pitied and they are not lacking for understanding. Comments like that are simply stupid and patronizing.

I'll just find an exit from this thread and let you musical snobs get on with your fuzzy-warm group hug. I find the air in here a bit stuffy.

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stonehearted

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sonomastone

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Silver Dagger

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71Tele

I think that a few here are forgetting that this is a forum and that what gets posted here in terms of musical taste has to do with opinion, and when someone posts that they'd rather listen to the It's Only Rock 'n Roll album over Exile they are not to be pitied and they are not lacking for understanding. Comments like that are simply stupid and patronizing.

I'll just find an exit from this thread and let you musical snobs get on with your fuzzy-warm group hug. I find the air in here a bit stuffy.

Quote
stonehearted

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sonomastone

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Silver Dagger

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71Tele

I think that a few here are forgetting that this is a forum and that what gets posted here in terms of musical taste has to do with opinion, and when someone posts that they'd rather listen to the It's Only Rock 'n Roll album over Exile they are not to be pitied and they are not lacking for understanding. Comments like that are simply stupid and patronizing.

I'll just find an exit from this thread and let you musical snobs get on with your fuzzy-warm group hug. I find the air in here a bit stuffy.